Powercom ASI caught 'accepting bribe'

The vigilance bureau arrested Avtar Singh, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) in the anti-theft wing of Punjab state power corporation limited (PSPCL), on Thursday on a charge of accepting Rs 3,000 as bribe.

Senior superintendent of police (vigilance) Pritam Singh confirmed that the ASI had been charged with demanding money from a defaulter to benfit him in a case of electricity theft.

Complainant Sukhdev Singh of Patiala stated that Avtar had sought the money to lower his fine. "The vigilance team laid a trap and caught the ASI in the presence of the government witnesses," said the SSP.

The accused is in police custody and a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against him.